Green Deal Research

Press Release

22 Sep 2011

New research from Pilkington energiKare™ has found that three quarters of us don’t know what the Green Deal is, with nearly one in five (17 per cent) admitting they have heard of the term but don’t know what it means for them.

The Green Deal, which is part of the proposed Energy Bill, could benefit the 72 per cent of homeowners who are keen to reduce their home’s energy usage, as it aims to encourage consumers to make their homes more energy-efficient, by providing all of the upfront finance for the improvements with a loan that will be attached to the property’s energy bill.

Measures that will be covered by the Green Deal are yet to be confirmed, but of those that might be included, 24 per cent would look at updating their windows with energy-efficient glazing first, followed by installing loft insulation (12 per cent) and draught proofing (11 per cent).

The Green Deal aims to give every homeowner the opportunity to install energy improvement measures, as well as give tenants the right to ask their landlords for reasonable upgrades. The survey revealed that just five per cent of tenants in private rented accommodation think that their landlords would actively make upgrades as part of the Green Deal, and 40 per cent think they would have to battle for any changes to be made to their rented property. Also, 68 per cent of tenants would not pay for green upgrades to their rented property, even when they are responsible for paying the energy bills, unless there was an incentive.

As architect and TV presenter, George Clarke, explains, making energy-efficient improvements to a home reduces the carbon footprint and saves money in the longer term on energy bills.

As he says: “It’s encouraging to see that glazing is being considered for the Green Deal legislation, currently under government consideration, as it can help homeowners and tenants significantly save energy. Pilkington energiKare™

double glazing can help people to save up to 20 per cent on heating bills, compared to single glazing.